Airbag complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 3 | 4% | — |
| 2024 | 2 | 5% | — |
| 2022 | 1 | 1% | — |
| 2021 | 4 | 2% | 49,000 miles |
| 2020 | 4 | 3% | 37,000 miles |
| 2019 | 5 | 1% | 50,000 miles |
| 2018 | 10 | 4% | 55,000 miles |
| 2017 | 14 | 2% | 114,000 miles |
| 2016 | 17 | 1% | 59,000 miles |
| 2015 | 30 | 4% | 69,000 miles |
| 2014 | 51 | 5% | 80,000 miles |
| 2013 | 60 | 6% | 85,000 miles |
| 2012 | 81 | 9% | 97,000 miles |
| 2011 | 183 | 12% | 95,000 miles |
| 2009 | 21 | 38% | 33,000 miles |
| 2008 | 66 | 30% | 42,000 miles |
| 2007 | 58 | 38% | 10,000 miles |
| 2006 | 19 | 8% | 89,000 miles |
| 2005 | 43 | 14% | 80,000 miles |
| 2004 | 14 | 6% | 115,000 miles |
| 2003 | 30 | 10% | 65,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
I am submitting this revised complaint to correct a prior report that was not accurately documented during a phone submission. Vehicle: 2025 Kia Sorento (259 miles at purchase) Within approximately two months of ownership (~3,000 miles), the vehicle began experiencing serious safety-related issues, including intermittent stalling, braking problems, and electrical malfunctions. Symptoms include: Vehicle stalled and failed to restart, leaving me stranded Radio/display screen went blank Heating/climate system became nonfunctional Vehicle would not shift into neutral Persistent burning odor inside and outside the vehicle These issues raise concern about a potential fire risk. In May 2025, the vehicle was inspected by two separate dealerships, both of which reported no issues. The condition worsened, resulting in a complete failure requiring towing. …
The contact owned a 2021 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving 15-20 MPH and making a quick left turn to avoid a truck that did not have the right-of-way, another vehicle crashed into the driver's side door of the vehicle. The driver's side curtain air bags deployed. The front driver's seat air bag deployed but failed to inflate. The front passenger's side seat belt retracted even though the front passenger's side seat was not occupied. There was no injury sustained. No police report was filed. Both drivers were able to drive away from the scene. The vehicle was taken to an autobody repair shop, where an estimate of the damage sustained was provided. The vehicle was totaled by the insurance company. The dealer was not contacted. …
Component: Electrical System / Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist / Speedometer Incident Summary: I am reporting a catastrophic and uncorrected safety defect in my 2021 Kia Sorento (VIN: [redacted] ). Pre-Accident Attempts: Before April 2024, I repeatedly sought diagnosis for instrument cluster 'glitches.' The Kia dealer misdiagnosed this as a battery failure, charging me out-of-pocket for a replacement that did not resolve the issue. Collision (April 22, 2024): While driving, the instrument cluster suffered a total system crash into 'Factory Mode,' losing all telemetry. Simultaneously, the vehicle's Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA) failed to engage. Despite the vehicle being equipped with automatic emergency braking designed to detect and mitigate collisions, the system provided no warning and no autonomous braking prior to striking a deer. …
The contact owns a 2020 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65-70 mph when another vehicle swerved in front causing them to rear-end the vehicle in front. The air bags did not deploy. The contact's vehicle, as well as, the other vehicle had been damaged. The contact sustained injuies to her head, neck, and back. The contact had a passenger in the vehicle who sustained abdomen and neck injuries. Medical attention was needed. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed however it had not been decided if the vehicle was totaled. The vehicle had not been taken to the dealer as of yet. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure was 37,000.
The contact owns a 2020 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that the front passenger's side air bag warning light remained illuminated while an occupant was seated in the front passenger's seat. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that there were no recalls or warranty associated with the vehicle failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 9,000.
The contact owned a 2019 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 MPH the vehicle crashed head on into a second vehicle. During the crash the vehicle was destroyed but the air bags did not deploy. The contact sustained multiple rib fractures, lower back, and right knee injuries and was transported to the hospital. The driver of the second vehicle had also sustained unknown injuries and was also transported to the hospital. The cause of the failure was not determined. A police report was taken at the scene and the vehicle was towed away. The manufacturer and local dealer were not notified of the incident. The failure mileage was 60,000.
The contact owned a 2019 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, she lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a lamp post. The air bags did not deploy upon impact. The contact's wife later received medical treatment for a fractured vertebra, right hip, and groin injury. No police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot and deemed totaled by the insurance company. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000. The VIN was unavailable.
The contact owned a 2018 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 MPH, another vehicle had abruptly attempted to merge into the opposite traveling lane and caused the front end bumper to crash into the Front Driver-side door of the other vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The air bags did not deploy. The vehicle was towed away to a local tow yard. A Traffic Accident Information form was filed by the local police department. The vehicle was deemed a total loss by the opposite insurance provider, and the contact was not deemed at fault. In addition, the contact was taken out of the vehicle safely by paramedics and was taken to a nearby UgentCare where he sought medical attention for neck and hand pains and severe mental distress. The local dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. …
Related recalls (2)
Air bags › Side/window
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2018 Kia Sorento vehicles. The side curtain air bags on these vehicles have a component that may detach during deployment of the inflatable curtain air bag.
Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver and passenger side curtain air bags, free of charge. The recall began on December 18, 2017. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542.
Air bags › Frontal › Sensor/control module-inactive
Kia is recalling certain model year 2007-2008 sorento passenger cars manufactured from June 15, 2006 through November 27, 2007. The front passenger air bag May be turned off when an adult is in the passenger seat.
Remedy: Kia will update the programming in the sorento ocs control module at no charge. The recall remedy is currently available under service campaign sc076. Owners May contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542.
NHTSA investigations
AIR BAG OCS
Kia reports that for vehicles built prior to the software update of 11/27/2007, the vehicles can improperly classify an adult as a child restraint seat and thus illuminate the airbag off warning light and suppress the frontal passenger airbag.on May 12, 2009, Kia launched a technical service bulletin (sb076) campaign to re-flash all vehicles built prior to the 11/27/2007 production date.Kia also believes that…
Air Bag Occupant Classification System
The Sorento's front passenger air bag may be turned off when an adult is seated in the passenger seat. The front passenger air bag is designed to be turned off in limited circumstances including when children and small adults are seated in the front passenger seat, there is a child restraint in that seat, or the seat is not occupied.But the Sorento has misclassified adults sitting in the passenger seat.This causes…
Frequently asked questions
Which Kia Sorento years have airbag problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2011 (183), 2012 (81), 2008 (66), 2013 (60) and 2007 (58) model years. Airbag complaints make up 12% of all complaints for the 2011.
Is there a recall for Kia Sorento airbag problems?
Yes — 2 recalls, including 17V-784 (side/window, Dec 8, 2017); 11V-473 (sensor/control module-inactive, Sep 7, 2011). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Kia Sorento airbag problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 74,000 miles; 28% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the frontal (46 mentions), followed by the frontal › sensor/control module (36).
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.